On Thursday, October 19th, some of the ACES program students at St. Joseph’s College Brooklyn joined the Director of the Program, Professor Catherine Meehan and the Assistant Director, Professor Erica David to go see the much anticipated play “M. Butterfly” at the Cort Theatre on Broadway.

David Henry Hwang’s “M. Butterfly” was written 30 years ago and premiered on Broadway in 1988 to won the Tony Award for Best Play. The play is based on the true life story of a scandalous romantic relationship between a married French diplomat, Bernard Boursicot and Shi Pei Pu, a Chinese opera singer.

“I decided to come to the play because it had a very interesting name “M. Butterfly” also because it happened in real life. It was very fascinating seeing the determination of Shi Pei Pu as a spy,” Digna Estrella, a Senior ACES student says

The play introduces the former French diplomat, Mr. Boursicot who falls in love with a beautiful opera diva, Shi Pei Pu, who was not only a spy but also a man masquerading as a woman.

Adnan Hoq, a Junior ACES student acknowledges, “M. Butterfly” as one of the most visually innovative and sensually gripping plays he has experienced.

The play tackles many sensitive topics like gender identity, sexual exploration, and the conflicts in relationships with great poise and maturity. The exquisite plot along with the resounding performances, masterful direction, and meticulous production design made the play a feast for the senses and a must-see for all theater enthusiasts.

“I was drawn to the ACES event by the sole desire of seeing Clive Owen in a rather unorthodox role that demands a more introspective exploration of the character, a departure from many of his traditional Hollywood roles; safe to say, he did not disappoint, not in the slightest,” Hoq states.

Professor David, the assistant director of the ACES program adds, “I think ACES outings are a great way for program students to get to know each other outside of the classroom. Students seem to like going to see plays and musicals on Broadway because it's unique to New York and lets them experience the culture of the city and the country through artistic performance.”

The trip is one of the opportunities that the Academic Center for English Language Studies (ACES) offers for its students. The program is known for organizing a variety of arts and cultural trips for its students, ranging from visits to museums, like the Museum of Modern Art, to live performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and other playwrights horizons in the city.